It Is Never Too Early, Right?

New Year's.

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..life is waking up an hour early to live an hour more...

Resolutions.

You gotta start thinking about them at some point, right?

In all honesty, I can't tell you the last time I stayed true to a resolution.  The whole, losing weight, eating healthier, staying in touch, blah blah blah, goes out the window come February (every lady wants to look good for Valentine's Day, duh).

This past year has been one for the books.  I've been my happiest & my saddest.  I've met fabulous new friends & I've had to give up on some.  I started a blog!  I've gotten my heart broken & I've bounced back.  I've learned who I am and who I want to be; where I want to go in life.  I moved into a fabulous new house.  I'm wrapping up year 5 working with my company.  I've realized that I have some pretty amazing people in my life. And my dogs rock.

All the above really do make me want to have more time in my life.  So, I'm starting my resolution early & waking up an hour early to live an hour more.

Wake up and be awesome.

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Resolution #2

$1000, yes please!

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An extra $1000, hell yeah!  Tax free too.   This will be another mission for me in 2016.  Each Monday (because my Mother always says don't do business or pay bills on Sunday) I will throw the dedicated amount into the stash.  If you make it part of your routine, it should be a breeze!  

Resolution #3

My plus one?  

Still waiting on prince charming.

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I'm at that age where there always seems to be something happening where I get a "plus one" & who wants to go to these things alone? Exactly.  Not me.  However, this year I found that searching for my plus one is NOT the way to go.  In 2016 I will have trust.  I trust that God will introduce me to my plus one that is suppose to be there.  & when I have my doubts, I will go back to "place your heart in the hands of God and he will place it in the hands of a man who he believes deserves it".

I know, I get it.  It is tough when your friends say, "he is out there somewhere", and all you want to say is "where the hell is he?"  Keep your heads up ladies, stop comparing other's "fairy tales" to your nonexistent one.   Stop reading the sappy love quotes, & have faith.  

And while you're waiting, be selfish.

Lastly.

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Thank you Dalai Lama!

Where to?!  Ahhh, the possibilities!  

I mean, there was Christmas music at Halloween, so one month isn't too early to think about these resolutions for 2016!

Cheers my friends!

xo

-W

Facebook: porch & palette

Toast to the Host!

- Gobble Gobble - 

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(free printable here)

I love Thanksgiving.  Everything about it.  Family, food, Fall weather, laughter, a reason to celebrate everything that you are thankful for in life, without having to buy presents.

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...there really is something magical about taking the back roads home... 

Turkey Day is upon us and let's admit it, it is the hostess with the mostest that pulls the day together for the fam and friends.

Although I did set my table for the holiday (you just never know when someone might stop in!) I will not be entertaining on Thursday.  However, while the hamster was turning with ideas, I came across some that I did incorporate.

Simple, Elegant, & Cheap.

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Thankful, Grateful & Blessed

Free printables.  Stumbled across these fun placecards, menus, and food labels (they also have cupcake toppers, but I don't bake... at least you wouldn't want me to).  Just print on white card stock, cut, and done.  How simple right?  Your guests now know what is on the menu, what that casserole is, and where they need to sit.

Next:

Bring the outdoors in.

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The next project involves tree branches, leaves, & gold spray paint ($4).  Gather these items, spray a coat on each, let them dry, and there ya have it.  Accent pieces for anything that needs to be decorated.  I added these to my buffet, dinning table, & bar area.

Side note: don't let the dogs help... they run off with the decorations... 

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Another super simple trick for an easy Thanksgiving.  All you need is two things: ribbon & utensils.  You can tie 'em in a knot, you can tie 'em in a bow... just don't throw them over your shoulder, there is a knife there.

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Being a host can be stressful.  You often spend so much time worrying about the house, food, invitations, etc. that you forget about yourself.  Don't.  You want to make sure you look just as fabulous as your house! 

Again, just like everything else, keep it simple.  Don't over think it, that is when time is wasted (and we all know being a host you have no time to waste!).  You want to be cute & comfy.

My go to is a poncho, suede leggings (aka "my fat pants"), & boots.

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Forever 21

$33

Each item you can find $35 or under, and you will be wearing them more than once I know! On Thanksgiving it is key to be comfy with all the running around and consumption of food.  These items will help you stay cute & comfy!

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H&M

$35

Boots.  Gotta love some good boots at a good price.  These can be found at 6pm.com, the kicker, these prices fluctuate daily so if you like it, buy it.

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6PM.com

$30  

From my porch to yours, I hope that everyone has a safe and fabulous Thanksgiving surrounded by the people, porches & food you love!

...gobble til you wobble... 

cheers!

-W
Like porch & palette on Facebook! 

My Real Job: Material Handing & Supply Chains

... that dreaded question...

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"So, what do you do?"

For some, that is easy.  For me, ehh.... 

Whether you are on a first date, at a wedding, hometown visit, or any social event you are bound to get asked, at least once, "what do you do?". 

This past weekend it was a wedding (& a fabulous one for sure, congrats Molly & Chris!). You are standing around with friends, family, new friends and strangers and the question is getting asked to the person next to you... Crap, you're next., it's time to get another vino. 

Those of us who are in the material handling and supply chain industry understand that feeling.  It is difficult to explain unless that other person speaks our language.  Conveyor belts, cranes, AGVS, hoist, casters, order fulfillment systems, reverse logistics services... huh?

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ProMat & MODEX

Sponsors of two industry-leading tradeshows

To this day, my sweet friends and family don't understand what it is I do.  Tradeshows, members, she travels some...? Something like that.  

Sure, MHI (my company) has our elevator speech, we are a leader in the industry:

"MHI is a trade association for the supply chain industry.  We offer education, networking and solution sourcing for our members, their customers and the industry as a whole through our programming and events."

... again, unless you speak the language... don't feel bad, you aren't the only one!  The definition of MHI starts with our members.  Who are they you ask?

You're in luck.  

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#iWorkInTheSupplyChain

Today we launched our #iWorkInTheSupplyChain campaign.  This campaign's goal is to bring awareness to the material handling and supply chain industry as a whole.

Manufacturers, systems integrators, consultants, publishers, 3PLs, software developers

These are my people.  Our industry is a family that is committed to helping others day in and day out.  One of our members in the campaign's video, #Iworkinthesupplychain, describes us as "secret agents of the industry".

I like it!  (makes our industry sound intriguing).

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MHI Young Professionals Network Emerging Leaders Conference

Chicago

Think of it this way.  

Online shopping.  Your cart is ready to go, just one click and your purchase is on its way home.  We have it from here.  Everything that touches your product from the time you checkout to when it arrives at your door step is part of our industry.  In a nutshell, anything within the four walls of a warehouse or distribution center, to the manufacturing facility is in our family tree.

Our members are a bit like the tooth fairy for our industry. Magical things happen, but you don't see it.   Whether you are in the pharmaceutical  or truck transportation, even finance and automotive industries, our presence is there.

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#iWorkInTheSupplyChain

The material handling and supply chain industry is not necessarily the sexist industry, but it sure is an interesting one!  I could spend days trying to explain, but with MHI's #iWorkInTheSupplyChain campaign, stories are coming in daily!  Just one click away.

February marks my 5 years with MHI.  How fortunate I am to have landed a job in one of the most fascinating industries that most are not aware of, but need on a day to day basis.

So mom & dad, friends and family, hope this helped with the understanding of what I've been spending the past 5 years doing! 

xo - 

Weldon Morris

Membership Coordinator 

MHI

Check out more MHI videos here!